Old Testament
Ezekiel 14:7
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Anyone in Israel — or any foreigner living among them — who cuts himself off from me, sets up idols in his heart, puts the sin that causes him to stumble right in front of his face, and then goes to a prophet to ask me for guidance — I, the LORD, will answer that person myself.
Compare translations
For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:
What Ezekiel 14:7 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, God addresses anyone in Israel or foreigners living there who choose to distance themselves from Him. When someone sets up idols in their heart, they prioritize things that lead them away from God. They may even put their sins right in front of them, making it hard to see the truth. Despite this, if they seek guidance from a prophet, God promises to respond directly to them. This shows that even when we stray, God is still willing to engage with us. He desires a relationship, even when we make poor choices. The key is recognizing our mistakes and seeking Him sincerely. God’s response is not just for the faithful but also for those who have wandered away, highlighting His grace and willingness to guide us back. This verse reminds us that our hearts matter to God, and He sees beyond our actions to our true intentions. He invites us to turn back to Him, no matter how far we’ve gone astray, and offers His guidance and wisdom in our lives.
How to apply Ezekiel 14:7 to your life
Reflect on what idols you may have in your life that distract you from your relationship with God. Consider how you can remove these distractions and seek His guidance more earnestly. Remember, God is always ready to respond when you turn back to Him sincerely.
Curated for this public verse page. Ezekiel Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Noah's story: Noah Is Born (Genesis 5:28–32)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Noah
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725043). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nablus and Mount Gerizim, West Bank; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Shechem
Where God promised the land to Abram, and where Joshua led Israel to renew the covenant.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Ezekiel 14:7
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Ezekiel 14:7
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Ezekiel
- Author
- Ezekiel the prophet
- Written
- Around 590 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Exiled Israelites in Babylon
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Ezekiel 14:7 mean?
Ezekiel 14:7 means that anyone who distances themselves from God and prioritizes idols or sin will still have the opportunity to seek guidance from Him. God promises to respond directly to those who sincerely seek Him, showing His willingness to engage even when we stray.
What is the meaning of idols in Ezekiel 14:7?
In Ezekiel 14:7, idols refer to anything that a person places above God in their heart, which can lead them away from a true relationship with Him. These can be desires, habits, or anything that distracts from following God's ways.
How does Ezekiel 14:7 relate to seeking guidance?
Ezekiel 14:7 highlights that even those who have separated themselves from God can still seek guidance through a prophet. God assures that He will respond to those who earnestly seek Him, demonstrating His grace and desire for relationship.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.